Exodus 20:3-11.. The Ten Commandments can be divided into two main sections. The first section focuses on our relationship with God vv. 3-11. The second section concerns our relationships with other people vv.12-17.

#1- 3 “You shall have no other gods before Me.” The first commandment requires the recognition and honoring of only one true God and deals with determining our priorities. No person can have two loyalties. Recall Jesus’ words: “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other.” A

#2- 4a “You shall not make for yourself an idol” The first commandment focuses on who to worship and the second commandment deals with how to worship. The second commandment prohibits not only idolatry but also the making of images or likenesses of the one true God. This commandment prohibits false substitutes for the worship of the one true God.

Vv.5-6 The Hebrew term rendered jealous might better be rendered “zealous”. When used of the Lord, the term denotes an attribute that demands exclusive devotion to Him. God is not suspicious or distrustful of others’ success.

The rest of verses 5-6 remind us we can expect consequences that correspond to our acceptance or rejection of Him. The terms rendered hate and love refer to unfaithfulness and loyalty respectively, rather than being emotional or sentimental terms. The idea of punishing the children for the fathers’ iniquity warns that each generation will be punished if they keep committing the sins of previous generations, B but showing His faithful love to thousands of those who love Him and keep His commands. C

#3- 7a “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain,” You shall not use God’s name as a curse word, in swearing and being a hypocrite by pretending to be a follower of Jesus when your actions say something different.

#4- 8 “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” Vv.8-11 commands God’s people to set aside a weekly day for worship and rest and reminds of His creation of everything. CThe resurrection occurred on the first day of the week and the early disciples shifted the worship and rest day to Sunday.

Do I keep the first four commandments as a way of demonstrating love for God?